PRAGMATIC CASE STUDIES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (PCSP)


PRAGMATIC CASE STUDIES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY (PCSP)
http://pcsp.libraries.rutgers.edu
*** a peer-reviewed, multi-theoretical, freely available e-journal of systematic case studies & case study method articles ***
FROM: Dan Fishman, Editor (dfish96198@aol.com) --


RE: Announcing the publication of our Winter, 2008 issue (Volume 4, Module 1),
involving a psychoanalytic case study:


An "Incurable" Schizophrenic: The Case of Mr. X
by Bertram Karon,
with Commentaries by
** Larry Davidson,
** Gary VandenBos, and
** Ann-Louise Silver


From an Introduction by the Action Editor, Ronald B. Miller:


"Dr. Karon's presentation in his case study is unconventional in two ways. First, Dr. Karon's approach to the case seems to violate a number of established assumptions about the psychological treatment of schizophrenics, e.g., (a) that detailed diagnosis is necessary, (b) that medication is a crucial tool in treatment, (c) that psychoanalytic therapy is of questionable value in treatment, (d) that psychiatrists should be viewed as close collaborators in any treatment, and (e) that the psychodynamic therapist should maintain technical neutrality, not being too directive in the patient's life. In his case study, Dr. Karon provides a rationale as to why he questions all these assumptions. Second, Dr. Karon does not hesitate to also address the social, professional, and moral consequences for the patient and therapist of both following, and departing from, these traditional assumptions. Dr. Karon's unconvention approach This places his work in the broad tradition of others like H. S. Sullivan, Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, Thomas Szasz, R.D. Laing, and Loren Mosher who have challenged the prevailing cultural and professional norms about the meaning of schizophrenic symptoms and our societal response to them. . . . Because of the unconventional aspects of Dr. Karon's case study, we have invited Commentators who both critique (Davidson) and support (Vandenbos and Silver) these components of Karon's innovative and challenging case study."